Mercedes G Wagen 300GDL

Mercedes 300GDL (1991 230,000)
by RussG

It's a 463 series G Wagen which basically means that although it looks very similar to the original military derived G Wagen from 1979 it's actually very different under the skin. These were Mercedes' attempt to cash in on the Range Rovers success and so they introduced a "luxury" version. Not entirely successful! Way over priced, ugly (but beauty is in the eye of the beholder) added to which MB dealers being far too stuck up to bother trying to sell them didn't help!

It has permanent 4wd with the usual centre diff integrated in to the transfer box and 3 differential locks. These are manually selected via 3 switches on the dash which operate the locks with a mix of vacuum and hydraulics. Lots of shared parts with 1990 series cars and vans combined with nearly a complete lack of electronics helps with keeping it mobile for not much money. Importantly for me that also helps in places like Africa.

Other than that those of you familiar with Range Rovers or Discovery's will find the basic setup pretty familiar. That is apart from the huge anti roll bars and the associated lack of axle articulation. The diff locks counter this and it's not an issue, you just have to re adjust your driving style.

What made you choose this one?
Almost by accident. I was prepping a 460 series (old basic version with a 2.8 petrol engine for a Morocco trip,not a good idea really, 12mpg on a good day) when a friend told me he was selling this one. His wife wouldn’t drive a manual. It was in Belfast so we took an easy jet flight over and the deal was done. Being a straight 6 N/A diesel it appealed to my “keep it simple” plan and the added refinement and comfort meant that it was suitable as an everyday vehicle.

Main criteria for this project?
As above. Keep it simple. It needed to be usable as an everyday shopping trolley, commuter, family holdall and be able to overland. Off roading in the traditional UK sense being a distant last, although it’s done it’s fare share. Due to how it came out of the factory it would do everything I wanted without any modifications. It’s just my thing that most failures I’ve seen are due to after market “enhancements”. So I didn’t want to build in any weakness’s. After all I don’t have the millions if not billions of pounds/deutschmarks to develop these modifications. Been there and done it before and always been either very broke or disappointed.

Modifications undertaken?
Very few. Kenlow Fan, which was about the only thing to fail on it’s first outing to Morocco! Dark tints on the rear, security, heat block and looks. Slightly oversize BFG AT’s. 31x10.5x15’s. Only slightly over standard due to gearing issues if you go mad with large tyres/wheels. To properly compensate for oversize tyres/wheels you need to ater the diff ratio’s. Big money and you just stress the rest of the suspension, especially wheel bearings. Rear storage system ? OK a bit of 12mm ply but it works.

Modifications yet to do?
None really. It’ll need new shocks before another big trip and I may go for Koni Raids but not sure if that counts as modifying.

How does it perform?
Slow but steady. It only had 113bhp new and it’s now done 230k miles so I may not even be in to triple figures! Having said that it’ll cruise nicely at 70mph ish. it rev’s like mad for a diesel. At 70mph it’s doing 3,500rpm but it’s still relatively refined. MPG 22. 24 on a good day. On road it rides and handles amazingly well, very little roll compared to LR’s for example. Off road ride is still smooth and controlled. As I said above once you’ve reset your brain and use the diff locks you don’t need momentum. Far easier on the vehicle and passengers. Front wheel bearings seem to be a weakness but anyone with a big hammer and a couple of spanners can change them.

What would you do differently?
Find an auto. But I think there maybe only 20ish 300GDL’s in the UK so auto’s maybe in single figures. Beggars can’t be choosers. I wouldn’t want the more common 3 litre petrol and can’t afford the 3 litre turbo diesel. But I wouldn’t want one anyway, these were in to the electronically managed era.